Irish seafood, cafe€€salthill
Blackrock Cottage beside Salthill's diving tower has Galway Bay views and locally sourced Atlantic seafood plates in a relaxed cafe-restaurant.
Signature: Chowder, Galway Bay seafood plates
Order: The chowder with soda bread and whatever the daily seafood special shows
Tip: Arrive early at weekends; the combination of sea views and quality food means it fills within an hour of opening.
Irish, cafe and brasserie€€salthill
Gourmet Food Parlour in Salthill Galway is a busy all-day venue on the promenade running breakfast through dinner with consistently sourced Irish produce.
Signature: Full Irish breakfast, Weekend brunch plates
Order: The weekend brunch menu is the strongest offering; the full Irish breakfast is reliable year-round
Tip: Park behind the building on weekdays; weekend street parking near the prom fills early.
Irish gastropub€€westend
John Keogh's on Dominick Street Lower is Galway's award-winning gastropub with a carefully kept Guinness and honest Irish dishes from local suppliers.
Signature: Irish stew, Seafood chowder
Order: The seafood chowder and a properly pulled pint; the Irish stew on cold evenings
Tip: A reliable fallback when Westend restaurants are full; the kitchen keeps longer hours than most.
Japanese, ramen and bao€€latin-quarter
Kombu on Druid Lane Galway is JP McMahon's Japanese ramen and bao bar, opened July 2025 next to the Druid Theatre as the city's first dedicated ramen kitchen.
Signature: Ramen, Steamed bao buns
Order: A ramen bowl with the steamed bao buns to share; the chocolate ganache bao with wasabi sea salt is the kitchen's dessert calling card
Tip: Closed Mondays; opens at 15:00 Friday and Saturday for the early pre-theatre run, and walk-ins fill quickly.
Modern Irish, French influenced€€€€salthill
The Pullman at Glenlo Abbey Galway earned its first Michelin star in 2026; Angelo Vagiotis serves seven Irish courses in two Orient Express carriages.
Signature: Seven-course seasonal tasting menu
Order: The seven-course tasting menu at €150; wine pairing at €90 adds depth across every course
Tip: The Wednesday-Sunday dinner service allows a long three-hour meal; Glenlo Abbey grounds are worth arriving early to walk.
Irish, cafe and tearoom€spanish-arch
Corrib House in Woodquay Galway is a Georgian townhouse on the River Corrib, serving freshly baked cakes and light plates in a serene riverside setting.
Signature: Buttermilk pancakes, Freshly baked cakes
Order: The buttermilk pancakes at brunch; the homemade cakes change daily and are consistently worth trying
Tip: Closed Mondays; the garden seating in summer is Galway's best-kept outdoor eating secret.